A record of fifty years of intellectual and technological activity. This record provides an insight into the development of science and discovery from the Eighteenth to the early Nineteenth Century. It links British science and society to developments on the continent of Europe, the West Indies, North America and to countries farther afield.

The history of the Society is traced from its formation in 1771 to bring together engineers "in a friendly way". The lives of the founding members are described as well as the growing status of civil engineering. The book includes original documents and letters.

Editors: May 1749-Sept. 1803, Ralph Griffiths; Oct. 1803-Apr. 1825, G. E. Griffiths.